Anti-Aging Market Filled With Amazing Products

By  //  September 1, 2012

The Art of Aging Gracefully

You don’t have to spend much time flipping through the TV channels before you become bombarded by all varieties of miracle creams that are guaranteed to make you look 10 years younger in 10 minutes!

Most sunscreens only provide protection for a few hours, and if there is sweat or water exposure, the actual protection can be less than that.

The anti-aging market is huge and filled with some truly amazing products and advances that can indeed turn back the hands of Father Time.

Because there are a multitude of factors that affect skin health, the approach to optimum skin protection and care must be multi-faceted.

Skin Care Starts With Sun Protection

One of the most important factors is day-to-day environment/life-style, and of all the environmental factors, sun exposure is THE most important. Any good skin care program must start with sun protection. Most people who use sunscreen use it improperly or not at all.

They believe if they put on a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) sunscreen, they have no worries when exposed to the sun, even directly, for prolonged (6-8 hours) periods of time. Unfortunately, this simply is not true.

I recently saw a young woman in her mid-30s in consultation, who was concerned about “spots” and uneven coloration on her face. What she did not recognize, despite looking at herself in the mirror every day, was that all the changes were ONLY on the LEFT side of her face. My first question to her was “do you drive a lot?” – Dr. Michael Lesser

Most sunscreens only provide protection for a few hours, and if there is sweat or water exposure, the actual protection can be less than that.

Simply not recognizing the hazards of regular daily sun exposure, and thus not preparing the skin properly with sun protection, also creates risk of sun damage.

I recently saw a young woman in her mid-30s in consultation, who was concerned about “spots” and uneven coloration on her face. What she did not recognize, despite looking at herself in the mirror every day, was that all the changes were ONLY on the LEFT side of her face.

My first question to her was “do you drive a lot?”

She simply was unaware that daily sun while driving was damaging her skin. She never considered putting on protective sunscreen as a daily routine because she didn’t consider herself “out in the sun.” Sunscreen, when used and used correctly, can definitely reduce the signs of aging.

Life-Style Factors Affecting Your Skin

Diet and smoking, are also significant environmental/life-style factors that have an effect on skin. Free radicals created by excessively “glycemic” (surgery) diets, or smoking damage the skin by causing the major structural proteins in the skin, like collagen, to “cross-link,” making the collagen stiffer and leading to early wrinkles.

Regular exercise improves blood flow to the skin, allowing the removal of toxins that can build up and cause damage. It is also beneficial to maintain good hydration to avoid dry skin, which results in an inferior “barrier” function making skin much more susceptible to disease.

Obviously, in both youth as well as through middle age, hormones have a dramatic effect on the skin and should always be considered in various conditions that result from hormonal changes in both men and women.

Regular Skin Care Regimen

The only way to truly improve the health and appearance of your skin is to have a regular regimen of skin care. This is no different than having a regular exercise regimen to promote strong muscles and bones.

The only way to truly improve the health and appearance of your skin is to have a regular regimen of skin care.

Having a skin care regimen designed by a professional, who can properly assess the condition of your skin and recommend specific clinically proven skin care products, is essential for maximizing your skin care regimen, just as a professional trainer would be used to maximize a personal workout routine.

In addition to a standard skin care regimen, many other products are now available to assist in either turning back or slowing down the aging clock.

However, even the results from the use of products such as Botox or fillers can be augmented by a proper skin care regimen. In fact, there is a specific dietary supplement that has been proven to enhance the results of Botox therapy, but few individuals who receive such therapy in my experience know anything about it.

Leading Skin Rejuvenation Expert

Dr. Zein Obagi

Dr. Zein Obagi, researcher, innovator, scientist, published author, and board-certified dermatologist, has achieved international renown as a leading authority on skin rejuvenation. He uses his knowledge and understanding of those agents that are active in the skin to individually design skin care programs that focus on prevention and maintenance.

I had the pleasure of training with him at the Obagi Skin Health Institute in Beverly Hills, and his teaching has been invaluable in changing my understanding of skin care, and revealed the benefits of the skin care line that carries his name.

He has now developed a complete new line of skin care products with his most up to date research that will be the next generation of Obagi skin care products to be marketed under the ZO Skin Health banner.

Dr. Lesser

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael Lesser, MD, is the Medical Director of Essentials Medi Spa & Salon, and is Brevard’s only physician to be certified by Dr. Zein Obagi as a Skin Health Restoration Specialist. His specialties include medical grade peels, injectables and advanced skin care. For more information log on to EssentialsRejuvenationCenter.com or call 321-722-2860.